First-time voter casts her ballot as polls open in Bay City on Election Day

BAY CITY, MI —Valarie Weidman was out early Tuesday morning to do something she'd never done before — vote.

Weidman, an 18-year-old freshman at Delta College, cast her ballot in the race for the 7th Ward Bay City Commission seat between incumbent Douglas Sommer and challenger Kerice Basmadjian. Arriving shortly after 8 a.m., Weidman was one of the first to cast her ballot at Kolb Elementary School, 305 W. Crump St.

It was a decision Weidman prepared for and took seriously, noting she and her parents talk politics around the dinner table regularly, and she keeps an eye on current events and the news media.

As a first-timer, Weidman said she was happy to get her feet wet in an off-year election.

"It was kind of nice to have a small ballot to work with," she said.

Bay County election officials say they don't expect a huge turnout for today's election, which features races and ballot initiatives in five municipalities — the cities of Auburn, Bay City, Essexville and Pinconning, as well as Frankenlust Township.

Janice Ensing, an election chairwoman overseeing voting in Bay City 1st Ward, said there are roughly 3,000 registered voters in her district, and she expects about 10 percent to show. Compared to last year, she said, voting is certainly down.

"It was over the top," Ensing said of 2012 voting. "Comparing the two — we may have 10 percent (of what we had) if we're lucky."

Bay County Clerk Cynthia Luczak said Monday, Nov. 4, she anticipates total turnout of no more than 10 percent and said the total number of voters could be around 7,500.

Patricia McDowell made sure her vote was counted Tuesday morning as she cast her ballot at St. Hyacinth Parish Center, 1515 Cass Ave., in Bay City's 5th Ward. There, incumbent Jim Irving's name is the only one on the ballot, although he faces a challenge from write-in candidate and former Bay City Commissioner Mary Jane Gorney.

McDowell said she came out to vote in order to set an example.

"I have kids, so I want them to know that even though it's a little election, (voting is) being a part of this country," she said. "You have to vote, it's why we fight wars and do what we do."